Heans fob feeding lubbicautt



Nov. 29, 1932. F. c. BLANCHARD MEANS FOR FEEDING LUBRICANT Filed DEG. 1.3, 1921 ligt?.

Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS lIi'OIR. FEEDING LUBRICANT Application filed. December 13, 1921. Serial No. 522,056.

rlhis invention aims to provide anovel and improved means for feeding lubricant, and is susceptible of wide application. The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the dra-wing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a lubricating apparatus exeinplifying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan of an auxiliary reservoir which forms a part of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. v v

Referring to the drawing, and to the embodiment of the invention which is selected for exemplification, there is shown in Fig. l a lubricating system comprising a main reservoir 4 and one or more auxiliary reser- N, voirs 6 supplied thereby. The main reservoir may be either portable or permanently assembled with the auxiliary reservoirs; if it is portable, it may be moved .about from place to place and connected to auxiliary reservoirs on diferent machines.

Lubricant from the main reservoir is supplied to the auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs, and lubricant in excess of the demands of said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs is returned to the main reservoir, the arrangement being such as to furnish a visual indication that the requirements ofthe auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs have been met. One way of making the returned lubricant visible is to provide a main reservoir having a transparent body, such as a glass cylinder 8 provided with upper and lower headers 10 and'12 connected to each other by tie bolts 1 4. The upper header is provided with a suitable fllling cap 16.

In the present example, pressure is applied to the lubricant by the use of a pump 18, which may be of any suitable known construction, the one shown in the drawing having a plunger 20 provided with a handle 22, by means of which it may be reciprocated r to force oil from the main reservoir through a ,check valve 24 toward the auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs, through an appropriate conduit system connecting the latter, the system herein comprising a conduit or conduits V2o connecting and extending past the auxiliary reservoirs in series. .As already intimated, this conduit leads back to the main reservoir, and returns to the latter lubricant in excess of the demands of the auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs. The point of delivery of the surplus into the main reservoir is at the upper portion of the latter, and owing to theprovisionof the glass cylinder, the operator is apprised of the fact that the auxiliary reservoirs have been filled, because as soon as this has been accomplished, the excess lubricant is observed flowing back into the main reservoir. The surplus lubricant, in returning to the main reservoir, 70 must pass through a. relief-valve 28, of known or-any suitable construction, springloaded to open at a pressure considerably higher than that required to open the inlet valves of the auxiliary reservoirs now tobe 75 described in detail. i

Referring now to Fig. 4, each `of the auxiliary reservoirs comprises a casingSO presentinga passage 32, into opposite ends of which two of the pipes 26 are connected. A passage 34, leading from the passage 32 into an oil storage chamber 36, is controlled by a suitable check-valve, herein a ball 38 having a spring 40, which constantly tends to urge the ball in a downward direction against its seat. The resistance presented by the spring 40 is such that the check-valve opens at a pressure lower than that required to open the relief-valveV 28. When, therefore, the spring yields to the pressure, the checkvalve opens and admits lubricant into the storage chamber 36.

As the storage chamber fills with lubricant, air is release'd therefrom through a vent 42 leading to the outer atmosphere, and controlled by a float valve 44, which seats and closes the vent after the lubricant has reached a predetermined level. Thereafter, continued introduction of lubricant into the reservoir causes the air trapped in the upper portion of the reservoir to be compressed. The float valve may be made of anysuitable material, such as cork, wood, or hollow metal', and provided with a retaining wire 46 presenting a head somewhat larger than the air vent opening, to prevent the valve` fromdro'pping out of place. Herein, this wire 'is prolonged in a downward direction tol present a weight 48 to retain the float in an upright position.

l/Vhen, after the closingof the 'float valves, thepressure in the auxiliary reservoirs rises to that in the feed lines, the check valves close and preventany outward flow of oil from said reservoirs to said feed lines. This is important because otherwise. if the reservoirs were at different levels (see Fig. l) the oil in those located at the higher levels would draindown, by gravitation and siphon action, to the reservoirs at the lower levelsv as soon` as the lower reservoirs became partially exhausted. Moreover, the Check-valves 88, in cooperation with the check-valve 24 and reliefvalve 28, maintain a closed system, which is kept full of oil, and hence immediate response ishad to the operation yof the pump 18 when starting to refilly the auxiliary reservoirs.

For the feeding offlubricantfrom the reservoir to the bearing,I have provided at the bottom ofi-the reservoir an outlet passage 5.0 in'a'threaded nipple 52, adapted to be screwed into an opening leading to the bearing.

The feeding of the oil may be regulated or shut o' altogether at any outlet passage by appropriate means, herein a needle valve 54 cooperating with a valveseat 5 6, and extending -in an upward direction through a gland 58'having a packing 60 encirclingthe valve stem .and preventing escape of lubricant or air at this point. The gland is threaded onto-a boss 62 presented by acover 64 suitably secured in place on acasingBO, as by a collar 66 threaded onto the latter, and havingaflange 68 overlying the margin of the cover. n

As herein shown, the needle valve is adjustable by providing its stem with a screwthreaded portion 70 received -in a correspondinglyl` threaded opening 72V provided in the boss 62. When,y therefore, the valve stem is rotated, thek needle valve is caused to approach or recedefrom its seat, according to the direction in Awhich the stem is rotated. Rotation of the stem'may be accomplished conveniently the use'of a suitable handle l 74, herein having an inverted cup-like formation, and presenting at its bottom an outwardly directed flange 76, which overlies the air vent and excludes foreign matter. The handle is appropriately secured to the stem as by providing the latter with a flattened portion 78 received in a correspondinglyshaped opening provided in the handle, and secured thereto as by a screw 80 threaded into the stem. Accidental rotation of the stem may be prevented by a. detent, herein comprising a pin 82 pressed in an upward direction by a spring 84 into engagement with the underside of the flange 7 6, the latter being preferably lrnurled or corrugated, as at 86 (see Fig. 3).

The pitch of the thread on the valve stem should be such as to give all needed range of feeding adjustment within one rotation of the handle. The feed setting may be indicated by a suitable indicator, herein a pointer 88 formed on the flange f? 6, and ycooperating.; with appropriate means, such as a set of numerals 90 on vthe flange 68, the latter herein being further provided `with a stop 92, cooperating with -the pointer 88 to prevent more than one rotation of the handle.

In operation, the auxiliary reservoirs are i'illed by working the pump, until overflow of the surplus 'into the top of the main reservoir indicates the fact that the auxiliary reservoirs have been filled. lt will be remembered that when, during the filling of the auxiliary reservoir, the float-valve closes the air vent, the air trapped in the upper portion of the reservoir is compresse l. Then the pressure has reached a predetermined amount, the inlet check valve will close, lubricant will be fed at first under pressure to the bearing, and when the level falls to a point where the float valve opens the air vent, the lubricant will thereafter feed by gravity. rlhe pump should be operated from time to time to replenish the reservoirs as may be required by the circumstances. i

, g Having thus described one' embodiment of my invention, but without limiting myself thereto, `what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

l. In a lubricating system, the combination of4 a main reservoir, one or more auxiliary reservoirs, andineans for causing lubricant to be supplied from said main reservoir to said auxiliary reservoir vor reservoirs until a predetermined amount has been supplied and to cause surplus lubricant to be restored to said main reservoir, thereby to serve as an indication that the predetermined amount has been supplied to said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs.

2. ln a lubricating system, the combination of a circuit including a main reservoir, lubricant conducting means presenting an inlet communicating with said main reservoir, and an outlet or outlets; an auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs receiving oil from said outlet or outlets, and an outlet discharging into said main reservoir, and a pump for causing a circulation of lubricant within said conducting means.

3. In a lubricating system, the combination of a circuit including a main reservoir, lubricant conducting means presenting an inlet communicating with said main reservoir, and an outlet or outlets; an auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs receiving oil from said outlet or outlets, and an outlet discharging into said main reservoir, and a pump for pumping lubricant from said inlet toward said outlets.

4. In a lubricating system, the combination of a main reservoir, one or more auxiliary reservoirs, means for causing lubricant to be supplied under pressure from said main reservoir to said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs, means to cause said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs to be shut oil from such supply upon the establishment ot a predetermined pressure within said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs, and means to cause the return to said main reservoir of lubricant in excess of the demands ot said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs.

5. ln a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a supply circuit including a main reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, a sup-` ply and return conduit system drawing1 tr m said outlet and discharging into said inlet, one or more auxiliary reservoirs supplied by said conduit system, but not included in said circuit, and means for causing the circulation of lubricant through said circuit and to supply lubricant under pressure to said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs.

6. ln a lubricating system, the combination of a main reservoir, one or more auxiliary reservoirs, means for causing lubricant to be supplied under pressure from said main reservoir to said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs, means to cause air to be trapped and compressed in said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs when the level of lubricant therein rises above a predetermined level, means to cause a predetermined pressure in said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs to Shut oil the supply of lubricant thereto, and means to cause the return to said main reservoir of lubricant in excess ci the demands ot said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs.

7. ln a lubricating apparatus, the combination ot a main reservoir, one or more auxil iary reservoirs, means for causing lubricant te be supplied under pressure from said main reservoirs to said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs, means controlled by the level ot lubricant in said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs to open and close communication between the upper portion thereof and the outer atmosphere, means controlled by the pressure in said auxiliary reservoir or reservoirs to close communication between the latter and the supply thereto, and means to conduct to said main reservoir lubricant in excess of the demands ot said auxiliary reservoir Vor res`ervoirs.

8. ln a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a mainreservoir, an auxiliary reser` voir receiving its supply of oil from said main reservoir under pressure and having a lubricant outlet and an air vent above said outlet,

means controlled by the level of lubricant in v said auxiliary reservoir to close said air vent to the entrance of atmospheric air when the level rises'to av predetermined point and to open said air vent and to admit air under atmospheric pressure when the level drops below such point, and means responsive to difterences ot relative pressure in the source of supply and in said auxiliary reservoir to open communication between said main and auxiliary reservoir when the pressure in the source oi"- supply rises to a predetermined amount and to open suon communication when kthe pressure in said auxiliary reservoir exceeds a predetermined amount.

9. ln a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a main lubricant reservoir, an auxiliary lubricant reservoir, means Jfor forcing lubricant under pressure from said main reservoir to said auxiliary reservoir, a pressure fluid opened inlet valve adapted to open under the pressure of said lubricant and to admit lubricant to said auxiliary reservoir, and a float `associated with said vauxiliary reservoir and adapted to control said valve and to cause the same to close against said pressure and to prevent further admission ot lubricant to said auxiliary reservoir when the latter has received a predetermined supply of lubricant. i

Y lO. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a main reservoir, an auxiliary reservoir, means tor forcing lubricant under pressure above that or' the atmosphere from said main to said auxiliary reservoir, and float-controlled means associated with said auxiliary reservoir to cause the supply of lubricant to said auxiliary reservoir to be shut oil and to be maintained under a pressure above that of the atmosphere when the level therein'rises above a predetermined point.

1l. ln a lubricating apparat-us, the combination of' a main reservoir, an auxiliary reservoir, means for forcing lubricant under pressure above that of the atmosphere from said main to said auxiliary reservoir, floatcontrolled means associated with said auxiliary reservoir to cause a change of pressure within said auxiliary reservoir accompanyl ing a change of level ot lubricant therein, and pressure-controlled means associated with said auxiliary reservoir and operated by such changes ot pressure to control the admission ot lubricant under a pressure above that of the atmosphere to said auxiliary reservoir.

Cil

n.12. Ina lubricator, 4the combination of a reservoir'having a chamber presenting a lubricant inlet,^va. lubricant outlet and an atmospheric air inlet above said lubricant inlet and outlet, and a float-within said chamber :adapted to rise with the inflowing lubricant and to close said air inlet thereby to trap 7airin said chamber above the body of lubricant.

v13. In -a lubricator, the combination of a reservoir having a chamber'presenting a lubricant inlet, a lubricant outlet and an atmospheric air inlet above said lubricant inlet and outlet, an inwardly opening check lvalveadapted to admi/t lubricant by way of said klubricant inlet into said chamber. and t0 prevent outflow of lubricant by way of said lubricant inlet, and a float within said chamber'fadapted to rise with the incoming lubricantandto close said air inlet thereby to trapair in said chamber above the body of lubricant.

14. vIn a lubricator, the combination of a reservoir having a chamber presenting a lubricant inlet, a lubricant outlet, and an atmospheric air inlet, an inwardly opening lcheck valve adapted to admit lubricant by way of said lubricant inlet into said chamber and-to prevent outflow of oil by way of said lubricant inlet, afloat within said chamber adapted to rise with the incoming lubricant andto close said air inlet thereby to trap air in said chamber above the body of lubricant, land a lubricantl outlet valve adapted to release lubricant from said chamber underfthe pressure of the air trapped above the lubricant.

l5. In a lubricator, the combination of a reservoir having a chamber presenting a lubricantinlet, a lubricant outlet, and an atmospheric air inlet, a float within said chamber adapted 'to rise with the incoming lubricant-and to close said air inlet thereby to trap Aair in said chamber above the body of lubricant, and a lubricant outlet valve adapted to release lubricant from said chamber under the pressure'of the air trapped above the lubricant. 16. In alubricator, the combination of a reservoir presenting a lubricant inlet, a lubricantoutleuand an air vent; a manually adjustable valve controlling said lubricant outlet; an indicator for indicating the condition of said adjustable valve; and a iioat controlling said air vent.

17. In 'a lubrieaton'the combination of a reservoir presenting a lubricant inlet, a lubricant outlet, and an air vent; a valve controlling said lubricant outlet; a screw and nu-t for-adjustably positioning said valve; an indicator for indicating the relative rotative positioning of said screw and nut; and a float controlling said Iair vent.

' *18.1111* a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a plurality of oil cups, pressureresponsive means to admit oil to said cups and to prevent reverse flow,land a supply conduit connecting and extending past said cups to supply oil thereto and to conduct the supply past and beyond said cups when the demands of said cups have been supplied.

19. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a plurality of oil cups, pressureresponsive means to admit oil to said cups and to prevent reverse flow, a supply conduit connecting and extending past said cups to supply oil thereto and to conduct the supply past and beyond said cups when the demands of said cups have been supplied, and means associated with each cup to regulate the How of oil therefrom.

Q0. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination. of a plurality of oil reservoirs each presenting a chamber in which air is trapped and compressed above the body of oil in the reservoir, a conduit connected to said reservoi rs and through which oil may be supplied thereto, and valve means responsive to the pressure of said trapped air to prevent flow of oil from one of said reservoirs by way of said conduit te another.

2l. ln a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a plurality of chambers each having an outlet for feeding oil therefrom and a space in which air is trapped and compressed above the bor` y of oil, means for supplying oil to said chambers under pressure, and means responsive to the pressure within said chambers to prevent backward iow of oil from said chambers toward said oil supplying means and from one of said chambers to another.

22. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of lubricant feeders presenting feeding chambers having outlets for feeding lubricant therefrom, a supply conduit common to and connecting said feeders in series, means connected to said conduit to force a column of lubricant through said conduit to said feeders and to create a pressure therein, each feeder comprising means to cause lubricant to be talren from said conduit into such feeder, there segregated from the lubricant in said conduit and fed under the pressure provided by the iirst-mentione'd means to the outlet of such chamber, and means connected to said conduit to furnish an indication that the column of lubricant in said conduit has met the demands of said feeders.

23. Lubricating apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of lubricant feeders presenting feeding chambers having outlets for feeding lubricant therefrom, a supply conduit common to and connecting said feeders in series, means connected to said conduit to force a column of lubricant through said conduit to said feeders and to create a pressure therein, each feeder comprising means to cause lubricant to be taken from said conduit into suoli. feeder, there segregated from the lubricant in said conduit and fed under the pressure provided by the first-mentioned means to the outlet of such chamber, and an indicator connected to said conduit beyond the last feeder of the series to furnish a Visual indication that the column of lubricant has met the demands of said feeders.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FREDERICK C. BLANCHARD.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patenti-No5:,1,43895'235. November 29, 1932.

FREDERICK C, BLANCHARD.

Itis hereby.: certified "that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbere'ptent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 85, claim Sv for "reservoir" read""rese'r'voirs", and Iine 87, for "open read oIose"; and that the snid- Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the samemay conform tothe record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signedend sealed-'this 17th day of January, A, D. i933.

M. J. .Moore (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

